Advice on when to judge child is ready for Proloquo2Go or similar please

[WhatIsNapTime]

Hi everyone, I have a son who has just turned 7. He is completely non verbal, autistic, GDD and is awaiting assessment for ADHD. Communication is very limited and consists mostly of him just pointing in a general direction and making an unhappy sound while I try multiple things until he seems satisfied e.g light turned on, get a snack, drink etc. He can be more specific in some areas, like he loves peanut butter toast so will get out the peanut butter and a plate and leave it on the side. So there is understanding in some things, but he doesn’t yet have the ability to communicate a head shake or nod if you were to ask ‘would you like this?’ So it’s still a lot of guess work. He does enjoy watching things on his Amazon pad and can scroll through YouTube picking different shows and clips. If he accidentally enlarges the screen or clicks an ad and opens the browser he can’t get back from it he’ll just hand me the pad to fix it.

sorry that turned into a bit of a ramble but I’m just wondering if it’s worth getting him an iPad and one of these apps yet. To us it would be a big expense so it’s not something I can really afford to just try if he’s not going to have any interest in it.

He has always refused to engage in flash card type props or macaton and just bats them away so i don’t know how open he’ll be to it.

I'm ashamed to say i was a bit of a head in the sand mum so he didn’t have a diagnosis until he was 4 and was already enrolled in the little mainstream school so he’s not really had as much input and support as some children his age so I’m now always worried that I’m holding him back even more.

On a positive note he has been accepted and will be starting at a great rated SEN school in September where I’m hoping he’ll flourish but I’d like to help him as best I can until then.

From all my rambling I don’t even think I’ve really made my question clear, but basically just looking for some advice on whether to invest in one of these apps and what signs you’re children showed that they were ready or were they like him and you just went with it and it paid off?

If you’ve got this far thank you in advance!

Does DS have SALT input? What do they think?

AAC can be included in DS’s EHCP if it is required.

He used to from nursery up until year 1 but because he wasn’t making any progress they seemed to just say to school keep trying the things we’ve given you so far and we’re discharging (Is that the word?) him get back in touch if anything changes. Autism outreach also withdrew but he does still have sssen come in once a month. They seem to just dismiss him after so long and leave him to it if he’s not progressing along their plans. I’m really hoping once he starts at the SEN school things will change. I try as much as I can at home but he makes strong associations with certain places and people being for certain things and unfortunately he doesn’t seem to accept me as a ‘teacher’ I’m more just a slave of his whims lol

SALT needs to be in the EHCP. If DS wasn’t making progress, they needed to change their approach, not discharge!

When was the amended EHCP finalised, do you still have the right of appeal? If so, appeal.

From the limited information e.g. not making clear choices and needing support with his tablet he doesn’t sound ready for Proloquo 2 Go yet to me
You will get far more support and advice in Special. The curriculum will be geared up to lots of opportunities to improve and use communication skills. SALT should be regular.

You could try some basic choice making by holding out 2 things in front of him to see which one he wants. Say X wants pause and name both see which he reaches for.
Sounds like he might be at the objects of reference stage i.e. plate or peanut butter for snack
to request. You can use objects to aid understanding or provide items to widen his choices.

The next stage would be photos to make requests. What type of visuals have been used before? He needs to want to communicate e.g.requesting things that are out of sight or reach.Sabotage to encourage communication e.g. train track and no trains, car mat no cars to see if he will request.

Don’t be too hard on yourself ( I know it’s what parents do) I’m guessing you got little or no help and support for your son’s needs during the pandemic.
Just hang in there things will improve and you will get much better support in September.

https://www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/roadblock-aac-users-are-required-to-prove-themselves

This is a good read and something I feel very strongly about. My son didn't pass the 'tests' for an aac device. We bought one anyway and he can use his device to functionally communicate. It even led to speech which after being non verbal for 9 years was a miracle. He never used pecs or makaton, had no interest whatsover. My son has never pointed, waved, shaked or nodded is head and he's nearly 16.

High tech aac requires huge amounts of modelling. You need to teach them how to use it. It has to be constant and consistent. Many people do not use these devices correctly and expect children to pick them up and start talking (had that conversation with a number of teachers!). It takes a huge amount of effort over years and years. There are cheaper ways of doing it. Many apps are pay monthly. A second hand ipad (not to old so the software runs) will do. Proloquo and Proloquo coach are great for beginners. Loads of other options though.

My son wasn't interested initially until he began to realise he can get what he wants. He spent a lot of time just pressing buttons on his own but it turns out once he started picking things up he already knew where lots of buttons were. It's hard work but 10 years on its the best thing I've done for him.